Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to NordenskioldKingston, William Henry Giles
History
Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to Nordenskiold
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Explorers; Voyages and travels
Thus ignominiously perished, on the very eve of success, the justly
celebrated mariner, Fernando de Magalhaens, ever to be remembered as the
discoverer of the passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and
who, had he lived, would have been the first circumnavigator of the
globe. He must not be judged by the present standard. His religion was
bigotry and gross idolatry, and his last act, for which he paid the
penalty of his life, was utterly unjustifiable.
Don Juan Serrano, having become leader of the expedition, in vain
endeavoured to recover the body of the Admiral by making the most
tempting offers to the Rajah of Matan, who was, however, too highly
pleased with the trophy of victory he had obtained to restore it. It
was no wonder, also, that the new religion at once fell into contempt
among the recent converts, while the Rajah of Zebut was anxious to make
friends with his rival of Matan.
Instigated by the interpreter Enrique, the Rajah of Zebut formed a plan
for treacherously destroying the Spaniards, hoping thus to get
possession of their ships and the rich cargoes they contained.
Concealing his designs under the guise of friendship, he invited all the
officers, and as many of the people as could come, to a banquet which he
had prepared for them.
Fancying that they should receive a valuable present of jewels, which he
had expressed an intention of sending to the Emperor, they accepted the
invitation. A party of thirty-four accordingly landed, but as they were
proceeding to the Rajah's palace, two of their number, Juan Carvalho and
Sebastian del Cano, pilots, suspecting from certain signs that something
was amiss, returned to the boats and pulled back to the ships.
Scarcely had they got on board when fearful shrieks and shouts and
clashing of arms were heard, as if men were engaged in desperate fight,
and they saw several of their companions come rushing down towards the
shore.
They immediately brought the broadsides of the ships to bear on the
town, and began firing their guns in the hopes of driving back the
savages. The fugitives were quickly overtaken. Some were struck down;
others were seized, among whom was Don Juan Serrano. He was dragged,
bound hand and foot, to the water's edge. He shouted to his countrymen
to desist from firing and to rescue him. The natives told him that he
should be delivered up if the Spaniards would supply them with artillery
and ammunition. This they would have done, but the cunning savages
first wished to get the guns into their hands, hoping afterwards to
obtain possession of the ships.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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